A Humane Education Curriculum For Grades K–5

Mow Wow Animals is an online learning program in humane education.

Did you say mow wow? Yes!

Mow Wow is a New Animal in Humane Education.

The Mow Wow Animals online teaching program recognizes the natural affinity that children have for animals. It is designed to activate students’ imagination as they learn about animals and the world around them and to encourage values of respect and compassion. The bilingual K­–5, lessons are infused with stories from world cultures, poetry, short videos, and hands-on enrichment activities.

Why Mow Wow?

  • Provides our youth with an ethical framework to create a more caring society
  • Aligns with K–5 content standards in language arts, science, and social studies
  • Supports the California Code of Education’s Character Education requirement
  • Encourages hands-on learning in digital research, peer learning, and community interaction
  • Supplies teachers with an easy-to-use, adaptable humane education curriculum

Education Code of the
California Department of Education

Americans have long recognized the need for kindness toward animals. In acknowledgment of this need, the California Department of Education has included in its Education Code a requirement that students be taught to view animals with compassion and to grant them the same dignity they would human beings. Section 233.5(a) of the code reads in part:

Each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils the principles of morality, truth, justice, patriotism, and a true comprehension of the rights, duties, and dignity of American citizenship, and the meaning of equality and human dignity, including the promotion of harmonious relations, kindness toward domestic pets and the humane treatment of living creatures.

This farsighted code regards the humane treatment of animals as one aspect of the broader ethic of good citizenship—the responsibility of each of us toward others who live in our society, including the animals with whom we share our environment. The code also understands that when we fail to treat animals kindly and responsibly, we undermine not only their rights as living creatures but our own dignity as human beings.

Many children gain emotional support and develop empathy from a connection with an animal who loves them unconditionally.

Yvonne Gavre / Founding Director, Buen Dia Family School, San Francisco

I commend and support PAHS’ humane initiatives… they have opened a dialogue and path of action for a kinder society.

California Assemblymember Kevin Mullin / Twenty-Second District, San Mateo

Let’s Get Started

To get started, click on the level below that fits your grade level:

The Mow Wow Animals humane education curriculum is divided into two grade levels. Each level contains three distinct units. The unit lesson can be used as an independent teaching tool or used to enhance existing curriculum. Lessons can be taught in a single class period, over several days, or in five- to 10-minute increments.

Each unit contains:

  • Lessons with a class reading and/or short animation
  • Interactive class discussion prompts
  • Enrichment activities
  • Glossary and resources

included media:

  • Digital book: Trees Are Never Lonely
  • Short film: It’s A Dog’s Day (K–2, 10 minutes)


Mow Wow is California Standards Compliant.

Mow Wow Animals was created by Carole Hyde with support from Palo Alto Humane Society. Lesson content by Teri Baldini, Leonor Delgado, Pamela Holway, Carole Hyde, Elliot Soper, and Susan Weisberg. Creative consulting by Susanna Michaels. Translations by Leonor Delgado. Illustrations by Briscoe Pelkey.

Mow wow Educational Materials

Trees Are Never Lonely

A PAHS Book for Children

Pre-K–5 Curriculum

Lessons in Humane Education

It’s a Dog’s Day Film

Teaching Compassion Through the Arts

Educational Programs

from Palo Alto Humane Society

Adoptables Art

Kids Paint Shelter Animals

Animals Everywhere

Classroom Presentations

Creating a Humane World

Internships for Students

Kiddies 2 Kitties

Kids Read Books to Shelter Animals

Critter Club

Connecting Kids, Parents & Communities

EWE TUBE

A PAHS Original Collection

 Adoptables Art: Pet Painters Program Connects Students with Shelter Animals PAHS partners with local school district art departments to connect young students with shelter animals through the visual arts. Under the guidance of school art teachers, students learn how to recognize the essence of another being, and their soulful paintings help promote the adoption of dogs and cats in local shelters. Through Adoptables Art, students become humane advocates, empathizing with the animals they draw and paint. For more information or to schedule an Adoptables Art program, contact Leonor Delgado, education and community outreach manager, at leonor.delgado@paloaltohumane.org or (650) 424-1901
Animals Everywhere:
Issues in Humane Education—Classroom and Small-group Education “Animals Everywhere” is a program of presentations for schools and organizations, for students from kindergarten through high school and for adults of all ages, that focus on the animals in our community, responsible pet care, and living with pets and wildlife. Our school presentations are tailored to the specific needs of school, after-school, and summer/intersession programs and can include use of videos and activities in our Web-based humane education tool, Mow Wow Animals. To visit the Mow Wow Animals site, click here.

To schedule a presentation, contact Leonor Delgado, education and community outreach manager, at leonor.delgado@paloaltohumane.org or (650) 424-1901.
Creating a Humane World:
Internships and Special Projects on Animal Welfare Issues
PAHS works with students from junior high school through college to create and advise on individual projects for college or community service on topics related to animal welfare and rights. Past projects have included the creation of videos, written presentations and papers, and internships with local veterinary clinics. PAHS looks forward to discussing ideas with you for your project.

For information, contact Leonor Delgado, education and community outreach manager, at leonor.delgado@paloaltohumane.org or (650) 424-1901.
Kiddies 2 Kitties:
Animal Shelter Reading Program
PAHS provides the books, local animal shelters provide the cats, and local schools help children connect with this program that gives children the opportunity to read to cats (and dogs and other animals) at the shelter. The program is good for shy, underdeveloped readers and other special needs students who would benefit from helping to socialize shelter animals. Kiddies 2 Kitties is not only for young readers, but also for middle-school and high-school students who want to learn more about the animal shelter and how to socialize the animals. All kids love it! And the animals have companionship for a brief interlude and the opportunity for adoption.

For more information and to schedule a K2K session, contact Leonor Delgado, education and community outreach manager, at leonor.delgado@paloaltohumane.org or (650) 424-1901.

Find out about the PAHS– SVACA (Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority) partnership promoting this program to different kinds of students. Download PDF Presentation
 Critter Club:
A Series of Lessons and Activities for Young Students
PAHS’ Education Ambassadors bring a variety of animals and lessons directly to the classroom. Children and teachers have the opportunity to interact with the animals and learn about animal care, neighborhood animals, and wild animals. Each child receives recognition of his or her participation with a Critter Club certificate. Additionally, take-home lessons encourage family discussion on kindness to animals and on building healthy, happy neighborhoods and communities. Critter Club can be offered in an in-class or after-school program.

For more information and to schedule Critter Club at your school, contact Leonor Delgado, education and community outreach manager, at leonor.delgado@paloaltohumane.org or (650) 424-1901.